In his first Major League start, Bell recorded a no-decision, throwing 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on nine hits, while striking out four batters and walking but one. While the line and the 6.75 earned-run average that accompanied it certainly were not the numbers Bell is accustomed to putting up, he impressed his share of spectators.
“Trevor Bell really looked sharp,” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He gave us a chance to win and we liked his moxie out there. He was not afraid to pitch in, changed speeds well. ... Loved his poise, he’s got good stuff and we really like the way he worked both sides of the plate, particularly inside.”
Most important to Scioscia and Bell was that the Angels (68-44) were victorious, maintaining their standing atop the American League West Division.
“It’s about getting a ‘W’ up here,” said Bell, whose team rallied from the 4-2 deficit he exited with, plating three runs in the sixth and five in the seventh.
He threw 75 pitches, 52 for strikes, and was particularly economical in the early innings, as he held the Rays (61-53) scoreless over the first three stanzas.
Bell tossed just 12 pitches in the first frame, only 11 in the third and was at his best in a nine-pitch 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second. The second culminated with his first career strikeout, as he topped out at 94 mph to get Pat Burrell swinging to end the inning on a four-pitch at-bat.
His first five pitches were for strikes and he tallied 21 first-pitch strikes against 25 batters. While he showcased poise statistically and to his manager, he was still admittedly nervous.
“I was out of my head,” said Bell, who teamed up with Mike Napoli for the starting battery. “It was a total blur, all I saw was Naps’ glove.”
